In the burgeoning world of electric vehicles (EVs), tire wear is often a hot topic among critics, and they do have a valid point. In the nascent days of electric cars, they were equipped with the same tires used by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. However, these tires were not engineered to manage the unique dynamics of EVs and consequently, the tread would wear down swiftly.
Addressing Tire Wear Concerns
There are sensational stories that suggest EV tires may last only 10,000 miles. While some aggressive drivers may indeed tear through tires quickly, this is more of an outlier. Generally, with standard tires, one might expect a lifespan of 20,000 to 30,000 miles on an EV. This has led to the development of EV-specific tires, such as Hankook Tire’s iON range.
Why EVs Need Special Tires
The iON series offers significant advancements over traditional tires. These tires are tailored to tackle four primary challenges of EVs: noise reduction, grip, rolling resistance, and enhanced tread life.
- Noise Reduction: EVs are inherently quiet, which amplifies the importance of minimizing road noise from the tires.
- Rolling Resistance: Lower rolling resistance improves an EV’s efficiency and extends its range.
- Grip: EVs deliver high torque quickly, necessitating tires that can provide adequate grip without sacrificing efficiency.
- Tread Life: Higher weight from battery packs leads to increased friction and quicker tire wear.
The Challenge of Weight
The additional weight of EVs, averaged to be about 30% more than comparable ICE vehicles, stems from the heavy battery packs. While manufacturers have enhanced the mechanicals of their vehicles to support this extra weight, tire technology had initially lagged.
The Impact of Driving Dynamics
The combination of an EV’s weight and its performance capabilities means tires can wear out faster. EVs often appeal to enthusiasts because of their powerful acceleration and dynamic handling, which can also lead to quicker tire degradation.
Hankook Tire’s iON Line
Hankook Tire has integrated 58 commercialized patents into its iON tires, focusing on longevity and performance. Key innovations include:
- ProDurable Compound: This high-durability rubber compound features a mix of high-concentration silica and eco-friendly components.
- Round Even Technology: This ensures a more uniform contact patch with the road, reducing deformation and uneven wear.
Real-World Performance
The real test of these innovations is their performance on the road. Hankook backs its iON tires with an impressive 50,000-mile warranty against premature wear, giving consumers confidence in their durability. Additionally, Hankook offers a 30-day trial to ensure that the tires meet your expectations.
Wide Product Range
Hankook’s iON line is diverse, catering to various driving conditions and vehicle types. The current offerings include:
- iON evo AS: All-season performance tire for both passenger cars and SUVs.
- iON evo: Summer sport tire for heightened driving dynamics.
- *iON icept:** Winter tire, studless for snowy conditions.
- iON FlexClimate: All-weather performance tire.
- iON Nordic ice: Winter tire for extreme conditions, available with studs.
- iON GT: Summer touring tire for longer trips.
- iON ST AS: All-season touring tire.
Hankook plans to expand the iON line to 259 different sizes by the end of 2024, ensuring a perfect fit for virtually every EV on the market.
Conclusion
In the debate with EV critics, tire wear has been a sticking point. However, with the advent of Hankook Tire’s iON line of EV-specific tires, we now have a robust solution. The promise of 50,000 miles of reliable performance, enhanced grip, quieter operation, extended range, and long-lasting tread puts these tires on par with—and often surpassing—their ICE counterparts.
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By William Kouch, Editor of Electric Vehicles for Automotive.fyi
